12.9-inch iPad Air: A new option for large size and affordability
Apple has been constantly enriching and improving its iPad product line to meet the needs of different user groups. After the iPad Pro series represents the pinnacle of performance and innovation, Apple will launch a new 12.9-inch iPad Air tablet in 2024 to fill the gap of large-size affordable models.
I. The form factor of the 12.9-inch iPad Air
According to the renders and design details that have been revealed, the overall look and feel of the 12.9-inch iPad Air will remain the same as the existing 10.9-inch iPad Air. It will use an all-aluminum integrated body with narrow bezels, and the front will continue to use the Face ID system with structured-light face recognition. In order to distinguish itself from the iPad Pro series, the front camera position and speaker position of the 12.9-inch iPad Air will be adjusted. The front camera moves to the center of the upper bezel, not to the left and right. As for the speakers, some analysts believe that they may be arranged on the lower and lower bezels of the fuselage to achieve better sound performance.
II. Screen Technology Choices
For an iPad that is positioned as a large size and affordable one, the screen is one of the most important. There are reports that in order to control costs, the 12.9-inch iPad Air may not use the mini-LED or OLED screen technology that Apple uses on the iPad Pro series, but will continue to use a traditional LCD screen. This does not mean that its screen quality will be too poor. Apple has been continuously improving the color reproduction, contrast and brightness performance of the LCD screen, so the 12.9-inch iPad Air's screen still provides an excellent viewing experience.
III. Hardware Configuration
Hardware performance is the core competitiveness of tablets, and the 12.9-inch iPad Air also has something to look forward to in this regard. According to reports, it is expected to be powered by Apple's latest M2 chip. The ARM-based chip not only brings powerful CPU and GPU performance to the 12.9-inch iPad Air, but also improves the efficiency of machine learning and artificial intelligence applications. Compared to the previous A-series chips, the M2 chip also consumes less energy, which is conducive to extending the battery life of the 12.9-inch iPad Air.
In addition to the chip, the details of the configuration of the 12.9-inch iPad Air in terms of other hardware are not yet clear. But according to Apple's usual approach, it should be highly consistent with the existing iPad Air, including the rear camera, storage capacity, network connection, etc. Some analysts believe that in order to distance itself from the iPad Pro series, the 12.9-inch iPad Air may not support accessories such as the Apple Pencil generation and the Magic Keyboard.
IV. Targeting and Targeting Users
The 12.9-inch iPad Air will be targeted at the large-size, affordable tablet market, targeting users who need a large screen but don't need top-of-the-line specs. This positioning determines that it will be a certain gap with the iPad Pro series in terms of hardware and functions, but it also means a more affordable price.
The 12.9-inch iPad Air will undoubtedly be a very good choice for those who mainly use the iPad for basic applications such as web browsing, video playback, office learning, etc. The large screen provides a better viewing and using experience, and the performance is enough for everyday needs. Due to its positioning in the affordable market, the price of the 12.9-inch iPad Air should be much lower than that of the iPad Pro series of products of the same size, thus attracting more users to buy.
The 12.9-inch iPad Air may also be an option for some light creators. Although it may not support advanced accessories such as the Apple Pencil 3rd generation, its large screen and strong hardware performance are still very advantageous for some simple creative needs such as painting, retouching, and video editing. The 12.9-inch iPad Air will provide users with a cost-effective option for a large-format tablet.
The launch of the 12.9-inch iPad Air will further enrich Apple's iPad lineup and provide users with more choices. As a new product positioned in the large-size affordable market, it balances the relationship between screen size, hardware performance and price, and is aimed at those users who need a large screen but do not need top-of-the-line configurations. Through this strategy, Apple will not only be able to meet the needs of more users, but also further expand the influence of the iPad in the tablet market. For both casual users and light creators, the 12.9-inch iPad Air will undoubtedly be an option worth considering.